The Annual Meeting / Elections Meeting is going to be held on April 21st. It will be held at the Totem Park Neighborhood Center. Let’s see a lot of participation at this meeting! You will hear what is happening IYHA. You will also have the chance to vote for the open positions of the Board of Directors (President, Secretary, Boys Program Coordinator, and Girls Program Coordinator). You will see information about the candidates in this newsletter.

Many thanks to those that are finishing their terms of office on the Board of Directors. They have served through the years by consistently giving time, effort, and energy... All with the purpose of having a great Hockey program for our kids! Thank you!

Brad DeKanick, President IYHA

IYHA Board Meetings are open meetings.

Please feel free to come to the meetings, which are held at the Mounds View City Hall in Conference Room C. Also, if you wish to have a copy of any information which is distributed at the meeting, please email or call Niki and it will be mailed to you. Upcoming dates for2005 Board meetings are the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

April 21 (Annual meeting and Elections meeting—location has been changed to Totem Park Neighborhood Center).

May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, December 15

NOTE: If you wish to be on the agenda for the meeting, please contact Brad DeKanick.

The Board of the Lake Region Hockey Association meets on the third Tuesday of every month at various locations. If you are interested in attending the next meeting, please contact Jeanne Falconer.

Sponsorships:

There have been several teams that have sponsors for their teams. These are listed below. This part of the newsletter will continue throughout the rest of the IYHA season. Please notify Niki Gjere of any additions or corrections. (Please forward information about websites and addresses, etc.) Many thanks to our sponsors!

IYHA:

**Champp’s New Brighton**

“Culvers of St. Anthony”

**New Brighton Sportsmen’s Club**

**Lake Region Hockey Association**

Pee Wee B

**Quality Post Service**

Squirt A

**Billman-Hunt Chapel”

**W.W. Goetsch Associates”

**Response Fire Protection Company”

10U A

**Fuji Ya**

Once again, many, many thanks to our sponsors! Please support them! When you see them, please tell them you are from Irondale Youth Hockey.

Irondale Youth Hockey Association Board Meeting Minutes:

IYHA Board of Directors meeting

Note: These minutes have not been approved. They will be reviewed, corrected as needed, and approved at the next regular Board of Directors Meeting.

Meeting was called to order by President Brad DeKanick at 6:35 p.m. in the Mounds View City Hall Conference Room C.

Review of agenda and minutes moved to the end of the meeting.

Thanksgiving Tournament:

Dawn reviewed the history of the tournament. Vance clarified history; he and others started the tournament. Tournament is run by the Association, not by an autonomous committee. Irondale and Mounds View are supposed to split work and profits 50/50. Irondale is not doing its share of the work. There is a meeting coming up later this month to define the duties of each Association – meeting with tournament directors from each Association. Costs have gone up. Need to review how we hold volunteers accountable to do their hours.

IYHA is a 501-3C. Tournament was designed to use up ice hours and to make a profit. This was a replacement for the various fundraisers that we had in the past.

Many thanks to Vance for the history. Thanks to Dawn for the presentation.

Recommendation: This Board to sit down with Mounds View Board to discuss issues. Brian Johnson as Vice President needs to be involved. Difficult to participate in 8:30 a.m. meetings are not appropriate. They need to occur at a time that people can participate in the meetings.

Will have list of what Irondale will do and what Mounds View will do. Will move forward with these outlined responsibilities—making it a 50/50 split of work.

Brian will set a meeting with Dean Klokkner of Mounds View.

Rink Advisory Task Force: Names have been given to Tadd Toumie.

Mounds View: Brad has not yet contacted Mounds View to talk about what they were interested in, in reference to their stated interest in merging.

New Business:

President: Brad DeKanick.

Has contacted Chris, Dan and Cheryl to meet on Tuesday to talk about the ACE Coordinator evaluation.Meeting is pending.

Vice President: Brian Johnson

Will put in application for equipment loaner program—Minnesota Wild, Xcel Energy Center and 10,000 Rinks Foundation. Also asking for families to send equipment to Brian. Wants to get it started. Spread the word. Any good usable stuff, give to Brian. May eventually give responsibility to Equipment Coordinator.

Treasurer: Jeanne Falconer.

Requested that all teams turn things in by 3/31/05. $62,500 in rebates this year—a little high, gave the teams the advantage. Don’t expect this next year. Still need to pay mileage and ice for February. We have a $42 credit with Twin Cities District.

Director’s Insurance: Policy is good from January 1st through December 31st of every year. Will need a copy of our policy. We are covered. Supposed to be a $15 fee per team. Mounds View and Irondale are back together again.

There is a meeting about Columbia on March 21st.

Received check for $788 from Sports Star Photography. Also will receive checks from Cloquet.

Lake Region: Jeanne Falconer. Sites are going well. We can look for donations that are in the community. Lake Region Hockey is going to work with Ramsey County to get the name off of the contract. Distributed thank you letter to Lake Region—requested IYHA Board members signatures. Working on updating the Irondale account for the Tournament. Right now it is outdated. Lake Region is probably going to approach the two Boards. They may ask that the money be run through them, then they could show there are more fundraisers. Having two treasurers and two signers is a way to support 50/50 division of work. Treasurer and Secretary are supposed to be signers on all IYHA accounts. They will follow through in doing the account signing.

Registration: Pat O’Connor. Working on a different formula for giving monies to teams at start up. Will look at a system of having “non-refundable” warm up money. Working on registration times for the 2005-2006 season. Will have them in different weeks, so people will not miss both registration times (if they are on vacation for a week).

Secretary: Niki Gjere.

Newsletter deadline is April 2nd. Will do the pictures (with okay from Brian). Will choose a different site for meeting for general meeting and elections. Will ask Pete Carlson to present information about Super Rink.

TC District: Tom Welty

Bantams are going to start later next year. There were problems this year because tryouts were not done.

New District Director is getting feet under him. Going to look harder at waivers.

Many thanks to the volunteers for the 12U Tournament: Linda Opperman, Jeff Opperman, Steve Stimmler, Gordy Druvenga, Chris Tahti as volunteers for 12U State Tournament.

TC District donated to donate $1800 ($200) per association for the HEP program.

Next month is the TC Annual meeting—will elect a new President Secretary. Looking hard for a new District Coaching Chief.

Issue with the Bantams—co-op the Association and have 4 A Teams. Other players would be returned to Association to play at B level. District is getting concerned because the A Teams are getting pounded. Tom will work with Boys Coordinator (outgoing and incoming), Bantam coaches, Board members, and parents. If they did that and went down to the 4 Bantam teams, then who would we play? Not sure—Tom is asking for clarification. Thinks it may be VFW Team. For the co-op, it sounds as though the Associations may be linked together—for example Edison, Irondale, Southwest. Those kids would try out, would choose A team. They would negotiate team colors, banner, costs, etc. Needs to have pros and cons for the April meeting. Tom has also asked the Boys High School Hockey coach for feedback.

Redistricting will come up again in the future. It has quieted down somewhat. However it is going to be raised again.

Cindy Lammi is a finalist for the Red Baron hockey mom of the year.

Sunday doing a U10A practice—having fun. 10Bs were having fun! And the Ponies were having fun—stands were full—lots of great fun! That is what it is all about!

Ice Commissioner: Renae Oleson

Talked with Peter Rupert from Mounds View. Has contacted VMIA, Super Rink, they will be giving information about ice soon. Will ask about Edison ice. Will be taking class from MaxSolutions and pay for the updated program.

Initiation Coordinator: Cheryl Mason.

Wrapping up. Will probably pay in to the Association more than we owed. Starting planning for next year—coaches and ice needs. 16 Mite 1s skated in the Little Chippers during the Class A High School 3rd place game.

Girls Coordinator: Chris Tahti

Will be meeting with the coaches to review how the year went.

Boys Coordinator: Dan Marcouiller.

Last month the Coordinators met about Ice. Also, since last meeting the A Squirt coach had given feedback the next day (all coaches had given feedback about how the season went).

Equipment Manager: Randy Bortot.

6 teams have turned in jersey.

ACE Coordinator: John Donovan.

Year end invoices distributed to the Coordinators. Broke down to $53.82 per hour for the hours put in.

Thanks to the Coordinators and the coaches—have done a super job. The coaches have

(When there are more than two candidates, the names are listed in alphabetical order.)

President Candidate:

Jim Cich

My name is Jim Cich.My son, Adam, is a goalie for the A-Squirt team.This is his fourth year as a net-minder after starting as a Mite skater.I grew up in New Brighton, playing a ton of hockey at old Veterans Park (when they used to have a rink) in the days of outdoor Lake Region hockey teams and Junior High School hockey teams at Highview and Johanna.(Did anyone play for Coach Horton at Highview?)I didn't play High School hockey, but I've continued to play in adult leagues.I am in my fifth season of "over 40" hockey at the SuperRink (you can do the math).

I get paid to manage the handicap transport service for the U of M, though I've been known to work for no pay.I have been involved in several special events organizations.My experience began in 1979 when I began organizing Coffman Union auto shows twice a year at the U of M campus.I switched to organizing auto races in 1982, and eventually an auto racing series that held events in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Manitoba and Ontario.I worked with the St. Paul Winter Carnival from 1983 to 1991 and on bicycle events for the American Lung Association.I have managed corporate event sponsorships with Miller Brewing, Amoco Oil, U.S.Tobacco, Meyer Snowplows, Ski-doo, Escort Radar Detectors, Honda, Volkswagen, Chevrolet and did promotions with local print, radio and television media as well as ESPN.I have been president of three different non-profit organizations, though none since I fell in love with Lori.

Youth Hockey is my first volunteer endeavor AAC (after Adam and Carly).I started helping out the Mite teams, then was a Pony team manager.After three years as an IYHA team manager, I am ready to change roles, to "step up" and help the management of the IYHA.

In the past few years I have slowly met different coaches and leaders in Irondale Hockey.My first exposure on the Board was Pat O'Connor in Registration, who, as every manager and coach knows, is tireless in her devotion to have every player and coach's documentation in place.She continues to be a fabulous first impression to the association.In a fall 2003 meeting, Vice-President Jeanne Falconer (now Treasurer) orchestrated a managers introductory meeting that was precision.Jeanne gave a sense that the IYHA was a well-tooled machine.Tom Welty, the District Rep, was one of Adam's first year coaches.His honesty and devotion to Irondale Hockey is unquestionable.I am just getting to know Randy Bortot, but as Equipment Manager, he's automatically a goalie's father's best friend.Brian Johnson, the new Vice-President, has been a pleasure to work with.His relaxing style and straight forward approach is beneficial to the association.Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to get to know Brad or Dan, but I do know that Brad DeKanick has repeatedly taken a prominent role and has been a constant leader for our association.Chris Tahti impressed me early last fall with his comments on the girls program in the IYHA newsletter.Since then he has taken the time for in depth and thoughtful responses to my questions and suggestions to the Board.Chris is very eloquent and a great asset to the association.We need him to continue as Girls Coordinator.Niki Gjere is the glue that holds the IYHA Board together.If it wasn't for her fine efforts and pleasant assistance, we wouldn't know a ding-dang thing.Her newsletters are the voice of the IYHA and the only thing that makes "www.IYHA league.org" a web-site.I hope she will continue to be our 'voice' as Secretary for another two years - at least.I have not met the new Initiation Coordinator, Cheryl Mason, or the new Ice Commissioner, Renae Olesen, but I look forward to getting to know them as well.Sound like a great team???Yah it does!I hope to be a part of that team.

I know what it's like to be on a volunteer Board.It can be immensely frustrating and time consuming.You can get stuck with not enough help and plenty of advice.Sometimes you have to wear too many caps and do whatever it takes to get the job done.You may go into it thinking that you could be a 'lifer', a leader for years to come, but it can eventually wear on you and burn you out.Or life's demands may change.You may hold your position only because no-one else would, and you had too much devotion to the association to let it go vacant.Always, always appreciate those willing to "step up".

I am running for Irondale Youth Hockey Association President.For at least the next two years, I am ready to put the time and devotion to working with the others on the Board.There are specific things I wish to work on. .first and foremost being ice contracts, but just as important is our image to the hockey world and our image within our association.I fondly recall the 2003-2004 season being one that Irondale was above many associations in a lot of ways.The year was organized, had early and plentiful ice and was enjoyable.This is a non-profit membership driven organization, one that is having a tougher year than the one before.We need to increase communications and knowledge to our parents and involve the parents in the actions and activities of the Board.We need to invite input and comments.If we create an informed and involved membership, we will create an atmosphere that invites and welcomes their support now and assistance and leadership in the future, and keep them in our association long term.We need to continue our effective recruitment methods.We must create a respectful image of Irondale Youth Hockey through promotional publications, professional banners, the appearance of our team on the ice, identifiable coaches and managers, and to finally develop our web-site.

IYHA President would be my only role.It is best to wear just one cap.I will drop all team duties in hockey and baseball.I know I can be a positive force to help get the IYHA back on track and moving towards a bright future.It is all about the players.Our children.I am ready to "step up".

Thanks,Jim Cichemail:"
"cell phone:651-295-1078

Secretary Candidate:

Niki Gjere

My name is Niki Gjere. I am the current Secretary of IYHA. My husband, Greg, and I have 2 children in IYHA. Jimmy will be a 1st year Bantam next year, and Megan will be a 12U next year. We have really enjoyed our experiences with IYHA, and count many friends among the parents of the kids in the Association.

Neither of us played hockey in our youth, and the Secretary role is one way our family can give back to the Association.

Thank you for your support over these past 4 years. I hope to serve the members in the next 2.

Boys Program Coordinator Candidates:

Gary Dahle

My name is Gary Dahle, and I have one boy in the Irondale Hockey Association, currently playing Pee-wees. I've coached at the Mite, Pony, Squirt, and Peewee levels, and have worked with both skilled players and those new to the game. I have thoroughly enjoyed my affiliation with Irondale hockey over the years, and appreciate the countless hours that others have donated to the Irondale Hockey Association to make it happen. Many thanks to Dan Marcouiller for doing a splendid job as boys coordinator over the last few years.

I played high school hockey for Irondale in the early 1970s, graduating in 1975. I also played one year of Junior B hockey after high school, before a foot injury interrupted my hockey career. However, I've been playing in the over-40 men'sleague at the National Sports Center since it opened, and have derived great joy from being a player again.

One thing I would like to see developed for the Irondale Hockey Association boys program is more out of season hockey training opportunities, both on the ice and off the ice, for those who have the time, the inclination, and the interest. As I see it, these training opportunities would be hosted by outside providers, with information on such opportunities provided to members by the association, and with registration for interested parties coordinated through the association in order to receive special pricing.

By profession, I'm an attorney in private practice located in Mounds View. For those who may need to meet with me to discuss Irondale Hockey Association matters, my office is located right on Highway 10.

My name is Mark Mohar and I would like to be considered for Boy’s Program Coordinator.I have been a member of Irondale Youth Hockey since 1989, first as a player and the past five seasons as a coach.Volunteering as a coach while studying for a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering has given me the opportunity to give back my skills and knowledge to the Irondale hockey community.I am a USA Hockey Level 4 coach and have also attended the hockey coaching class at the University of Minnesota.We need to bring ideas discussed in those coaching classes into our program so our teams and individual players to play to their highest potential.

As Boy’s Program Coordinator, I would continue to do the things that are working in our association.However, our association’s teams have gone from winning 2-4 games in District 2 to winning the same number in District TC.Skills need to be addressed.We need to have all of our coaches on the same page, teaching the same skills and can do this by coach’s meetings and seminars.On the player’s side we need to have specific clinics tailored to developing the skills necessary to play hockey at each level.Success comes with hard work and if we develop this attitude in our program, hockey will a great life lesson for each player who laces up their skates.

Girls Program Coordinator Candidate:

Chris Tahti

Chris has two daughters who play hockey – one on the high school JV team and one on the IYHA U10A team.Chris is among the initial athletes inducted into the Mounds View High School Athletic Hall of Fame last year and was a two-sport Division I athlete at the University of Minnesota.After graduation, he was a head coach and administrator of one of the state’s more successful amateur sports teams.

Chris volunteered to fill the remaining portion of our last Girls Coordinator’s term last season and has spent the year building consensus among the coaching staff, motivating and communicating with the parents and has begun to focus on recruitment of new athletes.Chris has developed a working relationship with other hockey associations, the high school coaches and booster club and District officials.

Chris has worked in Management at the state level and is part of the Command Staff of the New Brighton Department of Public Safety.